Disclaimer

This article was written by a contributing author, and is not meant to be taken as legal advice, nor is it intended to replace the state statutes. Do your due diligence, cross-check the statutes linked, and communicate with your local municipalities, registrar, or commissioner to ensure that you remain compliant and avoid costly fees.

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State Overview

Missouri has relatively straightforward laws surrounding the use of emergency lighting for any authorized emergency vehicle. They are similar to most states, with the exception of some expanded placement and color rules.

Note: Missouri State Statute 304.022 goes into great detail about what qualifies as an authorized emergency vehicle. Here is a quick breakdown of each.

• Vehicles operated by the state highway patrol, water patrol, capitol police, conservation agent, state park ranger, enforcement personnel, police or fire department, sheriff, constable or deputy sheriff, federal law enforcement officers, traffic officer, or coroner
• Vehicles operated as an ambulance or commercially for transporting emergency medical supplies and organs
• Wreckers or tow trucks
• Vehicles transporting equipment for extricating humans from a car accident
• Vehicles used for emergency functions for a civil defense or emergency management agency
• Vehicles operated by a department of corrections employee when responding to a riot, disturbances, hostage situation, and other extreme emergencies relating to their field
• Hazardous substance vehicles for emergency purposes
• Vehicles operated by state and highway emergency commission for emergency response or motorist assistance
• Vehicles owned and operated by the civil support team of the Missouri National Guard for operations involving chemical, biological, or radioactive materials.

Missouri’s definitions are fairly exhaustive, but it leaves room for little ambiguity regarding what qualifies as an authorized emergency vehicle. 

Law Enforcement Statutes 

Police, Marshall, and Sheriff Vehicles

Missouri State Statute 307.175 covers the laws surrounding the use of emergency lighting for each type of authorized emergency vehicle, including law enforcement. On a police vehicle, red, blue, or red and blue flashing or rotating lights can be attached and must be visible at distances of 500 feet during normal atmospheric conditions and sunlight. 

According to Missouri State Statute 304.022, utilizing emergency lighting and or a siren is only permitted as long as the authorized emergency vehicle is actively on the way to an emergency or indicating an emergency location.

When using an emergency light at the front of a law enforcement vehicle that points forward, there can only be a maximum of three used. This light must be at least 12 inches above the ground and no more than 42 inches per Missouri State Statute 307.080.

304.022 also permits police vehicles to disregard the posted speed limit and any other traffic law as long as they utilize their emergency horn, siren, or whistle where appropriate and their emergency lighting is in use. Each police officer is responsible for driving with due regard for the safety of each motorist on the road or highway to prevent an accident.

Traffic is required to yield to an authorized emergency vehicle by either changing lanes or slowing down to provide a safe environment while passing the scene of an emergency. According to Missouri State Statute 304.022, they are also required to pull off the road or highway if necessary to provide safe passage for an emergency vehicle.

Fire and EMS Statues

Fire Trucks and Fire Chief SUVs

Missouri State Statute 307.175 states that a fire truck may display a flashing or rotating blue and red light visible to the vehicle’s front at 500 feet under normal atmospheric conditions and daylight. Blue lights are only permitted to be used during a “bona fide” emergency. They may only be used while on the way to an emergency or while operating a stationary vehicle on the scene of an emergency per Statute 304.022.

When using an emergency light at the front of a fire truck or other fire department vehicle that points forward, there can only be a maximum of three used. They must be at least 12 inches above the ground and no more than 42 inches per Missouri State Statute 307.080.

A fire truck or authorized emergency vehicle operated by the fire department is permitted to disregard the posted speed limit and other traffic laws as long as they are using an audible signal such as a whistle, horn, or siren, as well as their flashing emergency light as indicated in Missouri State Statute 304.022. The fire truck operator is still responsible for the safe operation of their emergency vehicle to avoid causing a car accident.

Missouri State Statute 304.022 also requires each motorist on the road to change lanes to provide lanes for a stationary vehicle displaying hazard lights or an emergency light operating on the side of the road. This allows for the continuance of a safe operation while the fire department is performing potentially life-saving procedures. Traffic is also required to move off the road or highway entirely if they spot a fire vehicle approaching from behind utilizing an emergency light.

Volunteer Fire Fighter Vehicles

Missouri State Statute 304.022 makes no distinction between volunteer firefighters and the use of LED lights for an authorized emergency vehicle and vehicles directly owned and operated by the fire department. The main distinction is that the vehicles must gain a permit from the Chief of the fire department before being allowed to use their rotating or flashing lights that are red, blue, or red and blue. They must be used in a “bona fide” emergency. 

Since the laws are completely identical, see the “Fire Trucks and Fire Chief SUVs” section above for more information regarding the use of a volunteer firefighter vehicle as an authorized emergency vehicle.

Ambulance and EMT Vehicles

Per Missouri State Statute 307.175, an ambulance is permitted to display red, blue, or red and blue rotating or flashing emergency lighting visible at 500 feet to the front under normal atmospheric conditions and sunlight. Statute 304.022 requires there be a “bona fide” emergency for an ambulance or authorized emergency vehicle operating for emergency medical purposes to use their emergency lighting. 

Unlike fire or police, an ambulance or emergency medical vehicle may use their warning lights and audible signal while leaving an emergency as their emergency doesn’t stop until the person that they’re providing aid to is safely delivered to an emergency medical facility.

The emergency light or lights at the front of an ambulance or authorized emergency vehicle operated by emergency medical personnel that points forward must be at least 12 inches above the ground and no more than 42 inches per Missouri State Statute 307.080. There may also only be a maximum of three the point forward.

Missouri State Statute 304.022 allows an ambulance to disregard the posted speed limit or any other traffic law as necessary for the safe trip to an emergency or transportation of a patient from an emergency. They must do so while using an audible signal, such as a horn, whistle, or siren, while also displaying a warning light or emergency lighting. They are still responsible for operating in a safe manner to avoid causing a car accident.

Traffic must yield to an ambulance per Missouri State Statute 304.022. This involves moving over at least one lane to provide space for the safe operation of the emergency personnel on the side of the road or pulling off the road or highway completely to allow for safe passage.

Commercial and Amber Statutes

Security Vehicles

Security vehicles are not classified as an emergency vehicle, so they are not permitted to attach any red or blue emergency light to their vehicles. Missouri State Statute 307.095 does allow for a security vehicle to display hazard lights or emergency lighting that are “substantially” white, yellow, or amber in color. 

Missouri State Statute 307.080 requires that any vehicle that displays warning lights to the front have them positioned a minimum of 12 inches from the ground and a maximum of 42 inches. They may also only attach a maximum of 3 forward-facing lights that are visible at 500 feet under normal atmospheric conditions and sunlight. 

Wreckers and Tow Trucks

Under Missouri law, unlike most states, a tow truck or wrecker falls under the same classification as an emergency vehicle as defined in the introduction of this article. This means that a tow truck may use an emergency blue or red light with a siren while on their way to a “bona fide” emergency under Missouri State Statute 304.022. This is often not the case in most states.

While what qualifies as a bona fide emergency is not explicit, a tow truck may also display emergency lights that are “substantially” white, yellow, or amber in color per Missouri State Statute 307.095. 

They may only have a maximum of three lights pointed toward the front, and they must be a minimum of 12 inches from the ground and a maximum of 42 inches according to Missouri State Statute 307.080.

Generally speaking, a tow truck is not permitted to disregard the posted speed limit or other traffic laws on the way to service a disabled vehicle, but if the event qualifies as an emergency and they use their red, blue, or red and blue rotating and flashing lighting along with an audible signal or siren, 

Tractors

Missouri State Statute 307.115 requires a tractor to display a white light to the front visible at 500 feet under normal atmospheric conditions and one red light toward the rear visible at 500 feet under normal atmospheric conditions. Statute 307.080 requires that the forward-facing lights be a minimum of 12 inches from the ground and a maximum of 42 inches, with a maximum of three lights facing that direction.

Utility Vehicles

In Missouri, a utility vehicle may qualify as an authorized emergency vehicle if on the way to a “bona fide” emergency. In this circumstance, they may use red, blue, or red and blue warning lights when going to an emergency. This is laid out under Missouri State Statute 304.022. 

Generally speaking, though, a utility vehicle is likely not operating as an emergency vehicle and may only use white, yellow, or amber lighting while on a job site with signs visible and workers present per Missouri State Statute 307.115. They must also only be illuminated on a stationary vehicle.

It is not clear, and it is recommended that you check with local municipalities first, but when operating as an emergency vehicle, a utility vehicle may use rotating or flashing emergency red or blue lighting and an audible signal or siren while disregarding the posted speed limit or other traffic laws. This may only be done while taking into consideration the safety of all others on the road. This is laid out under Missouri State Statute 304.022.

Pilot and Escort Vehicles

Pilot vehicles are not classified as an emergency vehicle, so they are not permitted to attach any red or blue emergency lights to their vehicles. Missouri State Statute 307.095 allows a pilot vehicle to display emergency lights that are “substantially” white, yellow, or amber in color. 

Missouri State Statute 307.080 requires that any vehicle that displays warning lights to the front, including pilot vehicles, have them positioned at least 12 inches from the ground and a maximum of 42 inches. They may also only attach a maximum of 3 forward-facing lights that are visible at 500 feet under normal atmospheric conditions and sunlight. 

Construction Vehicles

Missouri State Stature 307.115 requires that construction vehicles be equipped with a white lighted lamp to the front visible at 500 feet under normal atmospheric conditions and one red light to the rear visible at 500 feet under normal atmospheric conditions.

If the construction vehicle needs to move at a speed below 20 MPH, they may use their emergency lighting per Missouri State Statute 307.050. If they need to move quicker than 20 MPH, then they must turn off their emergency lighting. These lights must be white or yellow and must be capable of illuminating a person up to 75 feet away.

Per Missouri State Statute 307.080, a construction vehicle may only display three warning lights toward the front, and they must be a minimum of 12 inches from the ground and a maximum of 42 inches. 

Funeral Procession

No explicit information was given for vehicles used in a funeral procession under Missouri Law. Since a funeral procession requires a pilot vehicle, it is likely safe to assume pilot vehicle regulations apply in this situation. Please double-check with your local municipalities to be sure before using emergency lighting.

Pilot vehicles are not classified as an emergency vehicle, so they are not permitted to attach any red or blue emergency lights to their vehicles. Missouri State Statute 307.095 allows a pilot vehicle to display emergency lights that are “substantially” white, yellow, or amber in color. 

Missouri State Statute 307.080 requires that any vehicle that displays warning lights to the front, including pilot vehicles, have them positioned at least 12 inches from the ground and a maximum of 42 inches. They may also only attach a maximum of 3 forward-facing lights that are visible at 500 feet under normal atmospheric conditions and sunlight. 

Personal Use 

Emergency Lights On Personal Vehicles

Aside from the use of emergency lighting authorized for volunteer firefighter vehicles, emergency personnel, and maybe security vehicles, there are no explicit provisions or regulations regarding LED lights on personal vehicles.

Summary

Special Permits

Special permits must be obtained from the Chief of the Fire Department before utilizing emergency lights on personal vehicles for volunteer firefighters.

Takeaway

Missouri illustrates the need to be fully aware of the lighting laws within your state. Red and blue lights used on vehicles other than police and maybe fire or medical are virtually unheard of. Be careful to ensure that you are following your state’s laws to avoid costly fines or penalties.

Make sure to double-check with your local municipalities and do your due diligence to ensure that you are following Missouri laws surrounding the use of LED lights for emergency needs. This overview is extensive but not comprehensive. Avoid costly fines or penalties by double-checking the information.